[1] After graduating from Washington & Lee University in 1960, Rohnke was drafted into the U.S. Army.

Afterwards he taught outdoor education programs in Southern California.

After working for Outward Bound in Maine and North Carolina, Rohnke became one of the founders of Project Adventure in Hamilton, Massachusetts.

Afterwards, Karl co-founded the High 5 Adventure Learning Center in Brattleboro, Vermont.

In 1990 Rohnke received the Association for Experiential Education's Stratton Practitioner's Award.